About Us

Jump Start Foundation is an Australian-based, not-for-profit organisation that partners with local communities in the Asia-Pacific region to provide quality life-changing opportunities through education.Jump Start Foundation believes that everyone deserves the right to be educated and that education empowers people to improve socio-economic conditions for their families, communities, countries and future generations. Learn More

Make a Change

We seek to partner with groups who believe in the schooling of children.We will support local community projects, no matter how small, that are often over-looked by the larger organisations.Literacy is the foundation that facilitates complete and thorough education throughout an individuals schooling journey.Jump Start Foundation has developed a holistic, multi-pronged approach to help children in the Asia-Pacific region develop literacy skills and to gain the lifelong gift of education.

Local Cammeray Businesswomen and Philanthropist Wins an Australia Day Award

Heidi Dening receives Australia Day Merit Away

26 January 2011

Local Cammeray Businesswomen and Philanthropist Wins an Australia Day Award.

Local businesswomen and philanthropist, Heidi Dening, has been honoured with the Australia Day Merit Award for her service to the Personal Training industry and for her support of disadvantaged schools in Vanuatu.

This community-based award has been given each year for 25 years. Past recipients have been renowned Australians Ian Kiernan (founder of Clean Up Australia), Kay Cottee (1st female sailor to perform a single-handed non-stop circumnavigation of the world) and Vera Entwistle (founder of Camp Quality).

Dening said that apart from being completely surprised that she was nominated let alone voted as the winner she couldn't believe the company she now keeps with this award. "I feel so honoured and special", she says.

Heidi has been a leader in the personal training industry since 1997. She is recognised as Australia's most successful businesswomen in the Personal Training industry; a widely-read author; sought-after National and International Presenter; and her company Jump Start has helped 1469 locals lose over 1.4km of body fat during 38,047 sessions.

Heidi's support for the underprivileged schools in Vanuatu began when she lived in Port Vila teaching at a local secondary school. She fell in love with the country and the people of Vanuatu and felt a great affinity with their family values, community support and their joyful nature.

While living in Vila one of the frustrating lessons was that even though students had a great desire to have an education, sometimes due to family circumstances this could not happen.

So since 2001 Heidi has linked her client fitness trips to Vanuatu with the opportunity to provide more than a 1000 kilo's of literacy and numeracy resources, stationary, and pre-loved reading books to the children and teachers of two remote rural primary and secondary schools. So far this has equated to the weight of a Volkswagen Beetle! She has also given education and travel sponsorships to 33 students and 6 teachers over the last 6 years.

Heidi is founder and director of the Jump Start Foundation and their mission is to provide life-changing opportunities through education.

For all additional information contact: Heidi DeningEmail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.